Church Services

Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week. For this reason, Sunday is the most precious day of the week and the day when all Christians should gather for worship. Preparations begin Saturday evening with Vespers, our evening prayer service, starting at 5:30 pm in the side chapel. Sunday Morning begins with Matins, or morning prayer, at 9:15, which is immediately followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:30. The service typically ends by 12:30 followed by Sunday school for kids ages 3 to high school (during the school year) and a fellowship hour with refreshments for adults. All Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church and who have duly prepared themselves are encouraged to receive Holy Communion as often as possible.

Throughout the week, we often serve weekday Matins and Vespers, as well as Divine Liturgies for feast days, and other special services depending on the time of year. Please consult the “Calendar of Events” on this website for specific times, or call the church office at 708/656-2927.

The church doors are open every day between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to visit the Weeping Icon of the Mother of God, or simply to spend a quiet moment of prayer and reflection.

Spiritual Growth Ministry

The highest priority for all of us is our relationship with Christ. The Spiritual Growth Ministry gives our community the opportunity to learn her Orthodox Faith and the best ways to apply it in everyday life.

By invitation from the family, one of our clergy will conduct an informal study session on the faith at the family’s home. The family typically invites their immediate relatives and get together one evening (typically on a Saturday) to pray, study and discuss the faith and how to ‘live’ it in today’s world.

Please see Fr. Nicholas Dahdal for more information.

Finances

The annual church budget exceeds $300,000. The only source of income is the generosity of our parishioners. What you elect to give to your church is a very personal decision. Only God with his immeasurable knowledge can judge whether you have sincerely given back to Him what He deserves. Every donation you give is an investment, and every investor expects a return. We’ll let God’s own words explain how well your investment will work for you: "..Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Mal 3:10

Membership

We do have many people in the community who try to get as much out of the church as possible and offer very little in return. Of course we will always continue to serve and to pray for these people. Fortunately, however, our church has been blessed with those who recognize the value of the investment they make in their church. These individuals and families pledge to give back to God a portion of their resources, be it time or money. We call these people Members of the St. George Family.

Members get the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making aspect of the church. They can serve on the parish council or simply vote for the leadership of their choice. It takes a pledge of only $200 per family per year to be a member. Of course, this is only a minimum; because what you give to God should be relative to what God has given you. Members can also receive all the church services without any request for a donation, although the church recommends that even members should consider thankfully giving a gift as part of their celebration and joy.

Non-members

In the name of fairness, we do request that non-members who elect to use the services of our church, to pay for at least that portion for which they receive direct benefit. For that reason the following schedule of minimum donations is recommended: Marriage $300; Baptism $100, and other services will be based on the families ability to pay.

In all cases, the priest will waive any recommended donation if there is a chance that such contribution could inflict a financial hardship on the family.

Please remember that our objective is to bring people closer to God. Unfortunately, finances are one of the necessary resources to achieve this objective. But We would never allow material issues to become an obstacle to this sacred mission. Please communicate your concerns, along with your solutions to us.

Church hall

Many of our parishioners find that our church hall is a convenient and more affordable alternative to a banquet facility. Parishioners may use the church hall for all sacramental occasions. A pledged member will have to accept full responsibility for the hall rental. We have special arrangements with caterers which can give our community reduced rates. Please see Khamis Imsaih for more details.

St. George Church is a NON-SMOKING building

In everything we do in the church, we'd like to set a positive example for our children who are so innocently influenced by the actions and behavior of adults. When you get the urge to light up, instead of going for your cigarette, please walk up to a child and ask him or her what they learned in Sunday School today. It may not be easy at first, but you'll feel so much better…Guaranteed! (You might even learn a thing or two from that child)

Pray….It Works
A reminder from your friends at
St. George

"…Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
II Thessalonians 2:15